Apad orders suspension citing safety concerns
PETALING JAYA: A cargo-only rail line operated by KTM Bhd that moves thousands of containers each month has been ordered to suspend services by the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad).
The order for the 40km stretch between Kempas Baru to Johor Port in Pasir Gudang came following an inspection by the regulator this week, with KTMB confirming that it received this order on Wednesday from Apad.
Sources told The Star that the track is in poor condition, necessitating slower train speeds due to a high risk of derailment if the cargo moves too quickly, though The Star understands that KTMB is currently negotiating with Apad and other authorities to defer the suspension.
KTMB said the order, issued by the rail regulator, cites serious safety concerns over the condition of the track. The track has been in use since the 1980s, though it has been rehabilitated from time to time.
This suspended stretch is a crucial link connecting the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) with Johor Port, while the other segment from Kempas Baru to PTP measures 31km (see map).
Both ports are managed by MMC Corporation Bhd, while the track is owned by the Railway Assets Corporation (RAC). Transport and Finance ministry representatives sit on the RAC board.
The track is an important cargo rail link as it provides an alternative to the congested Pasir Gudang Highway.
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An industry observer acknowledged the rationale behind the closure order, noting that the rail line is in such poor condition that public safety may be compromised, even though the line does not host any passenger trains.
The PTP-Johor rail link is vital for KTMB, as the company relies heavily on cargo services for revenue. While its popular ETS passenger service from Gemas to Padang Besar is only slightly profitable, other services such as Komuter and AntaraBandar (intercity) services, are operating at a loss.
This rail link facilitates inter-terminal transfers from PTP to Pasir Gudang and connects to Padang Besar and beyond to Thailand. As such, it is a critical component of the Trans Asian land bridge, allowing containers from Johor to be transported to Penang and Bangkok, and vice versa.This is not the first time that regulators have imposed restrictions on KTMB on the grounds of public safety.
ALSO READ: Port of Tanjung Pelepas hit new milestone in handling 1.08 mln TEUs in a single month
In Nov 23, 2017, the then Land Public Transport Commission (Spad) directed KTMB to suspend its cargo operations along the Rawang-Salak Selatan stretch in the Klang Valley following a train derailment at the Bank Negara Komuter Station, which disrupted travel for many commuters.
Back then, Spad also asked KTMB to review and improve its freight wagon operational procedures to ensure safety.
In April, Pasir Gudang mayor Datuk Asman Shah Abd Rahman said the currently “underutilised” track can be used for passenger service to boost the city’s public transportation network.
“Pasir Gudang has included a proposal in the city’s Local Plan 2030, which has been endorsed by the state government,” said the mayor to The Star.
“We have submitted this plan under the Pasir Gudang Local Plan 2030, which has been endorsed by the Johor state government,” he added.
